Interface device between a gliding board and a boot biding element

ABSTRACT

An interface device between an element for binding a boot and a gliding or rolling board, the device including at least one longitudinally extended platform having a lower surface provided to be applied against the ski, and an upper surface provided for receiving at least one element for binding a boot. The platform has at least one set of transverse notches, the notches being made over the entire width or height of the platform and opening out onto two opposite surfaces of the platform, so that the plate has at least two platform blocks connected by an extensible and retractable connecting zone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French PatentApplication No. 05.03777, filed on Apr. 15, 2005, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an interface device between a gliding board anda binding element for a boot that is mounted on the gliding board. Theinvention also relates to a gliding board provided with such aninterface.

2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

In the field of alpine skiing, skis provided with front and rear bindingelements are commonly used.

In order to be able to adapt the spacing of the binding elements tovarious boot sizes, and also to enable the ski to bend more freelyduring gliding while in use, which is conventionally referred to as thereturn function, at least one of the bindings—generally the rearbinding—is mounted on a slide. Two superposed slide mechanisms aresometimes used for a rear return element, one for adjusting theposition, the other one for the return function, or yet a firstmechanism for a rough adjustment of the position, and the other for afine adjustment and the return function.

In a known manner, a ski slide includes two slide elements, which slideone with respect to the other; one of the elements is fixedly mounted onthe board and the other is associated with the binding element. Theslide element of the ski is assembled by any appropriate means, andespecially by means of screws, or by welding, as disclosed in thedocuments EP 0 448 936 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,051.

It is known to incorporate the slide element associated to the ski inthe structure thereof. The documents WO 91/04770, DE 39 24 899, U.S.Pat. No. 5,056,809, EP 1 329 243, and WO 02/49728 disclose arrangementsof this type. However, these methods of construction are not entirelysatisfactory. Indeed, due to their relatively large distance in relationto the neutral layer of the ski, the slide elements, which are metallic,significantly affect the bending of the ski; and during bending, theconnection zone between the slide element and the ski is subject to verysubstantial forces.

Skis have been produced recently that have a slide element alreadymounted on the boards so as to simplify the mounting of the bindingelements. The slide elements therefore have a structure that is lessrigid than the previous element and, being generally made of plasticmaterial, they can bend more easily. These slide elements are assembledto the ski by means of screws, or are anchored in the ski structure bymeans of pins that are retained in the core of the ski. The followingdocuments disclose examples of this type of construction: WO 03/043707,US 2005/0116444, EP 1 424 107, US 2004/0108687, EP 1 161 972, U.S. Pat.No. 6,641,162, and DE 100 63 923.

These systems yields good results, but one disadvantage subsists, causedby the bending of the ski. Indeed, to enable the ski to bend, the slideelements, in general two parallel rails, have one of their ends fixedlyattached to the ski, and their other end attached with the possibilityof sliding longitudinally. This necessity to slide freely makes mountingthe slide element on the ski rather complicated.

A similar drawback arises from the platforms, which are used to raisethe binding elements. As a general rule, these platforms have one oftheir ends fixedly attached to the ski, and their other end attached tothe ski with the possibility of sliding.

To lessen the effect of the sliding element on the bending of the ski,it is known to make transverse grooves in the rails; the aforementioneddocument DE 100 63 923 discloses such grooves. These grooves soften theslide elements when they are being bent, but do not solve the problem ofthe relative movement during bending of the ski.

The document FR 2 763 861 is also known, which describes a platformincluding at least one series of generally transverse grooves that openout onto its upper and lower surfaces. According to this document, thegrooves are located between the binding elements, or at the back of therear element, or at the front of the front element. Such an arrangementis not entirely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve the existing devices byproviding a slide element that can be fixedly attached along the entirelength of a gliding board and which can bend with the board without itbeing necessary to provide movement of a portion of the slide element inrelation to the ski.

This object and other objects, which will become apparent from thedescription that follows, are achieved with the interface deviceaccording to the invention, which includes at least one platformelongated longitudinally and having a lower surface provided to besupported by the ski, and an upper surface provided to receive at leastone element for binding a boot.

The platform has a least one zone for receiving a binding element, suchzone having at least one set of transverse notches, the notches beingmade along the entire width or height of the platform, and opening outon two opposing surfaces of the platform, so that the plate has at leasttwo platform blocks connected by an extensible and retractableconnecting zone.

It is indeed in the zones for receiving the binding elements that theeffect of the notches is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description, with reference to theattached drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a set for skiing;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platforms in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative construction of the platforms;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are alternative constructions;

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 a side, exploded view of the various elements in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9-12 show alternative constructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the central portion 1 of an alpine ski on which front andrear elements, 3 and 4, respectively, for binding a boot are mounted.

These elements, or bindings, can be of any of various types known tothose skilled in the art and, therefore, they are not described infurther detail here.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the front binding element 3, ortoe binding, includes a binding jaw 6 connected to a structure 7 that isitself mounted on a base 8. The base 8 is extended rearwardly by asupport plate 9 provided for receiving/supporting the boot.

Similarly, the rear binding element 4, or heel binding, includes a jaw11 connected to a structure 12 that is itself mounted on a base 13. Thebase is extended forwardly by a support plate 14 for the sole of theboot, which is used to support a braking device 15. Conventionally, thestructure 12 is slidably mounted along its base 13 by means of amechanism by having a slide and a lock, or latch, for adjusting theposition of the structure 12.

Alternatively, any of other types of binding elements can also be used,according to the invention, including bindings of the non-releasabletype.

According to the illustrated first embodiment of the invention, thebinding elements 3 and 4 are mounted on the ski 1 with intermediateplatforms 17 and 18. Each of the platforms has a lower surface thatrests on the ski, or at least that is supported on the ski, and an uppersurface having a zone 171, 181 for receiving a front or rear bindingelement, respectively. The function of these platforms is, for example,to raise the binding elements and the boot, and to channel thetransmission of the forces between the boot and the ski in order tomodify the distribution of these forces in the direction of the runningedges and of the gliding sole of the ski. In addition, the platformsfacilitate the mounting of the binding elements, that is, the skis aredelivered to the retailer with pre-assembled platforms for the retailerto mount the binding elements in one of the several predeterminedpositions in the area of the platforms to complete the assembly.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the platforms 17 and 18 have,when viewed from above, a size and shape that enable them to support thebases 8 and 13 of the binding elements. Optionally, as shown, theplatforms have a lengthwise dimension that is greater than that of thebase of the associated binding element to be mounted, so that thebinding element can be mounted in any of various positions.

According to this illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the platformsis constant, but this is non-limiting. Alternatively, one could providean increasing or decreasing thickness over the length of the platforms.

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the platforms 17 and 18 aremounted on the ski by means of screws. Such screws 19 a, 20 a, 21 a, 22a, are schematically shown in FIG. 1, and their respective housings 25a, 25 b, 26 a, 26 b, 27 a, 27 b, 28 a, and 28 b are shown in FIG. 2. Thenumber and position of the screws is non-limiting. In a particularembodiment, including that which is illustrated, each platform has atleast three assembly screws distributed at the front and at the back inorder to immobilize the platform with respect to the ski, at least inthese two zones. The housings for the screws are arranged in rows thatare transversely oriented and longitudinally spaced apart, each rowincluding one or more housings, depending upon the total number ofscrews.

As a general rule, the rows of housings, or at least some of them, arelocated inside the receiving zone 171 upon which the binding is mounted.

Contrary to common constructions, the housings 25 a, 25 b, 26 a, 26 b,27 a, 27 b, 28 a, and 28 b are adjusted to the cross-sectionaldimensions of the screws, which means that there is no oblong housing,and that all of the screws enable a local immobilization of theplatforms on the ski, without relative sliding.

The binding elements 3 and 4 are assembled to the platforms also bymeans of screws. Such screws 29 a, 30 a, 31 a, 32 a are schematicallyshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows series of holes 33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b, 35a, 35 b, 36 a, and 36 b, which are provided to the retailer alreadymade, such as by pre-drilling, through the upper surface of theplatforms. The series of holes are arranged along rows that aretransversely oriented and longitudinally spaced ones from the others.The rows of the series of holes are shown as being located inside thereceiving zone 171. According to a particular feature of thisembodiment, these holes are clearly distinct from the rows of housingsso as to avoid any interference, such as mis-identification, between ahousing for mounting the platform on the ski and a hole for mounting abinding element on the platform.

The mounting is conventionally carried out by screwing each one of thescrews into respective ones of the holes of the series, i.e., the onesthat correspond to the correct or desired longitudinal position of thebinding element.

The number of holes per series is non-limiting. One could also provideto have only one hole defining a single position of the binding element.As mentioned above, one could provide series of housings.

The holes of the series of holes are adjusted to the dimensions of thescrews so that the screws are tightened in their respective holes andenable a local connection of the bases on the platforms, withoutrelative sliding.

Transverse notches or grooves are localized on the upper surface and onthe lower surface of the platforms in the receiving zone 171. In theillustrated embodiment, the depths of a notches are greater than half ofthe thickness of the platform in this zone, although this is notessential and other depths could be employed.

Also shown in the illustrated embodiment, a notch opening out onto oneplatform surface is located longitudinally at a short distance from atleast one other notch opening out onto the opposite platform surface. Inthis context, a short distance means one centimeter or approximately onecentimeter. The notches are thus grouped by sets of notches thatalternatively open onto each opposite surface of the platform. For eachplatform, these sets of notches demarcate platform blocks and form,between these blocks, extensible and retractable connecting zones.

The object is to locally divert the neutral layer of the platform, sothat it follows, longitudinally along the platform, an undulation whichfacilitates a retraction or a longitudinal elongation of the platformduring bending and counter-bending movements of the ski. The object isalso to locally lower the neutral plane within the thickness of theplatform so as to bring the neutral plane of the platform closer to theski.

In a particular embodiment, such as that which is illustrated, there isat least one set of notches between two adjacent rows of housings and atleast one set of notches between two adjacent rows of holes for eachplatform. Also in such embodiment, there is a set of notches between arow of housings and each adjacent row of holes. It is however possibleto have a row of holes and a row of housings on the same block, or elsetwo rows of holes on the same block, provided that there is nointerposed row of housings.

This way, for each platform, each row of holes or housings is located ona distinct block of the platform, the blocks being isolated ones fromthe others by the sets of notches that form extensible or retractablezones along a longitudinal direction. A single platform block can bearboth a row of holes and a row of housings, or two directly adjacent rowsof holes. The sets of notches enable the various blocks to move closerto or away from another during the bendings or counter-bendings of theski in order to follow the relative displacement of the screws forassembling the platforms to the ski, and of these screws relatively tothe screws for assembling the bases on the platforms, while keeping theconstant spacing of these assembly screws for the same binding element.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front platform 17 includes two rows ofhousings formed by the housings 25 a, 25 b, and 26 a, 26 b, and two rowsof holes formed by the series 33 a, 33 b, and 34 a, 34 b. The platformis further traversed by two sets of notches, a first set formed by thenotches 37 a, 37 b, 37 c, and a second set formed by the notches 38 a,38 b, 38 c. The sets of notches are partially open on the upper surface,and partially on the lower surface of the platform. Their depth is suchthat, for each set of notches, the bottom of a notch opening on the topis lower than the top of a notch opening on the bottom of the platform.

The platform is thus divided into three blocks 17 a, 17 b, 17 c. Thefirst block 17 a has a row of housings and a row of holes, the two otherblocks have a single row of housings and holes, respectively.

Similarly, the rear platform 18 has two rows of housings formed by thehousings 27 a, 27 b, and 28 a, 28 b, and two rows of holes formed by theseries 35 a, 35 b, and 36 a, 36 b. The rows of holes and at least partof the rows of housings are located in the receiving zone 181.

The two sets of notches formed by the notches 39 a, 39 b, 39 c, and 40a, 40 b, 40 c, define three blocks 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c. The first blockhas two rows, the others only have one row of holes or housings.

According to what is shown in FIG. 2, the blocks that have two rows arelocated at one end of the platform, toward the middle of the ski. Thisarrangement is non-limiting, and these blocks could be located towardthe middle of the platforms or toward the far ends of the platforms.

According to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the notches arevertical instead of horizontal. Thus, this drawing shows two platforms42 and 43, each of the platforms including three blocks, 42 a, 42 b, 42c and 43 a, 43 b, 43 c, respectively. Each block has one or two rows ofholes or housings as previously described.

The three blocks of each platform 42, 43 are separated by sets ofvertical notches 46, 47 and 48, 49, respectively. According to theembodiment shown, due to the notches, the transition zones between twoconsecutive blocks have the shape of leaf springs opposed by the top.The transition zones allow for the blocks to move toward or away fromeach other to allow the platforms to follow the bending andcounter-bending movements of the ski.

For the previously described embodiments, the binding elements aremounted on two distinct platforms. This is non-limiting, i.e., in analternative embodiment a single platform that carries the two bindingelements, each on a receiving zone supported by a platform portion,could be provided.

To exemplify this, FIG. 4 shows a unitary platform 52 having a frontportion 53 and a rear portion 54 united by an intermediate portion 55.

The front and rear portions 53, 54 are constructed the same way as theprevious platforms 17 and 18, and have receiving zones 531, 541 and setsof notches in each of the receiving zones.

According to the embodiment shown, the intermediate portion includes anadditional set of notches, namely, three notches 56 a, 56 b, 56 c. Thisset of notches enables the intermediate portion to extend or, on thecontrary, to retract, according to the bending and counter-bendingmovements of the ski.

Instead of a set of notches, a system with sliding elements or a blockof deformable material, such as a shock-absorbing or a visco-elasticblock, could be provided. For example, such material could be fittedwithin the notches.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the notches 57 a, 57 b, 57c, 58 a, 58 b, 58 c, 59 a, 59 b, 59 c, 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 61 a, 61 b, 61c or at least some of them, are relatively slanted instead of beingparallel to one another. According to what is shown, all of the notchesconverge toward an imaginary point located on one side of the platform62, or beyond the side of the platform. This is non-limiting, and anyother arrangement, in particular such as having the notches convergetoward two points located on, or beyond, both sides of the platform, canbe adopted.

According to the alternative embodiment in FIG. 6, the notches 63 a, 63b, 63 c, 64 a, 64 b, 64 c, 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 66 a, 66 b, 66 c of theplatform 68 are herringbone-shaped.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the invention according towhich the binding element is assembled to the platform by means of asystem of rails and a slide instead of screws. In this case, thereceiving zones include rails along which the binding element is guided.

FIG. 7, which can be considered a view along a transverse cross sectionof FIG. 8 through the platform 72 and the portion of the ski 71, shows afront binding element 70 mounted in this manner on a platform 72, theplatform 72 being assembled on one ski portion 71. As shown in thisfigure, the ski can be regarded as an alpine ski with the width of thewidest part of the front binding element 71, or toe binding, beinggreater than the width of the ski at this point greater than the widthof the platform.

The platform 72 has in its upper portion a receiving zone 721 with twoprojecting lateral extensions 72 a and 72 b that form rails for guidingand retaining the two rounded edges 74 a and 74 b of a plate 74, whichthus form a slide. The binding element 70 is assembled to the plate 74via its base 75.

In this manner, the binding element can be displaced in the receivingzone 721 along the longitudinal direction of the platform 72. It can beimmobilized by any known appropriate means, for example by means of atoothed latch, the teeth of which are engaged in housings or recessesmade in the platform, or else in the catches of an attached plate thatis immobilized in relation to the platform.

FIG. 8 shows the three superposed elements, namely, the ski portion 71,the platform 72, and the binding element 70 with its plate 74.

As shown, the platform 72 is assembled to the ski 71 by means of screws,such as the screws 76 and 77, which are shown in FIG. 8. The screws arehoused in recesses of the platform without any longitudinal play. In aknown manner, the screws are screwed in housings extending within theski 71. As previously shown and described, the assembly screws arearranged in rows. In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 8, there are tworows, but there could be more. At least part of the rows are located inthe receiving zone 721.

Between the rows of assembly screws, the platform has at least one setof notches in the receiving zone 721. In this case, there are two setsof notches, one made of the transverse notches 79 a, 79 b, 79 c, and theother made of the transverse notches 80 a, 80 b, 80 c. For each of thesets, part of the notches open out onto the top of the platform, and theother part onto the bottom of the platform.

The notches that open onto the top of the platform, in this case thenotches 79 a, 79 c, and 80 a, 80 c, create discontinuities in thelateral extensions 72 a and 72 b that form the guiding rails.

The sets of notches separate the platform into blocks, here three blocks73 a, 73 b, 73 c. In this particular arrangement, at least one block outof three has a row of screws for assembling the platform onto the ski.This is determined by the length of the blocks in relation to the lengthof the slide. In the case where one block or more is not directlyassembled to the ski by means of screws, the length of the rounded edges74 a, 74 b of the plate is provided to be greater than the length of ablock, so that at least part of the slide is engaged with a blockdirectly assembled to the ski. The length of the blocks can vary fromone block to the next.

With a construction of this type, the blocks move closer to and fartherfrom one another with the bending and counter-bending movements of theski while maintaining the connection between the platform and the plateof the binding element.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a platform associated with a front binding element.The invention encompasses the possibility that the mode of constructionof the platform for the front binding is the same, or is similar, tothat of the platform for the rear binding. In this regard also, therecould be a single platform associated with the two binding elements asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 4.

Furthermore, the two binding elements could be connected by means of ametallic plate or blade such as described, for example, in documents FR2 501 514, U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,422, EP 1 314 458, and US 2005/0116444.

Apart from the sets of notches, the platform can have other notches suchas the notches 82 and 83 opening out on the lower surface of theplatform in order to soften the platform when it is bent.

The position of the rails and slide between the platform and the bindingelement could also be reversed to allow for a guiding system having ahollow shape in the area of the platform and projecting in the area ofthe binding element.

Finally, recesses such as the recesses 85 and 86, shown in FIG. 7, couldbe provided in the area of each surface of the platform. The purpose ofsuch recesses made in the median zone of the platform would be to reducethe friction between the ski, the platform, and the slide between therows of holes or housings.

FIG. 9 relates to an alternative construction. As shown, the platform 88includes two longitudinal arms 89 and 90, which are connected by abridging section 91 located toward the middle of the length of the arms89, 90. The arms are parallel, or substantially so, and are assembled tothe ski 92 by means of screws fitted in housings 93, 94 or by any otherappropriate means, for example by anchoring elements attached to orextending from the arms, and which are nested in the structure of theski 92.

The platform 88 also has rows of holes for assembling the bindingelements. As shown, these rows are formed by series of holes 96 a, 96 b,97 a, 97 b, and 98 a, 98 b, 99 a, 99 b located on each one of the armsand provided for each of the binding elements, respectively.

As provided above, sets of notches divide each of the arms into blocks,each of the blocks having, with the block associated with the other arm,a row of housings and/or a row of holes in accordance with what has beendescribed above. Thus, the arm 89 is cut at the front of the bridginginto three blocks 89 a, 89 b, 89 c and at the rear 89 d, 89 e, 89 f.Similarly, the arm 90 includes three blocks 90 a, 90 b, 90 c at thefront of the bridging section 91, and three at the rear, i.e., 90 d, 90e, 90 f. The notches 100 a, 100 b, 100 c for the arm 89, and 101 a, 101b, 101 c and for the arm 90 are aligned with one another and form a setof notches. The three blocks 89 a, 89 b, 89 c form, with the threeblocks 90 a, 90 b, 90 c of the other arm, a platform portion with a zonefor receiving the binding element. It is the same for the other portionsof the arms. The number of blocks, the number of sets of notches, andthe number of notches per set are non-limiting. The notches between thetwo arms could also be shifted to create a skewed effect.

The bridging section 91 could be located more toward the front or theback of the arms.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative construction. The platform 104 includes twodistinct arms 105 and 106 assembled to the ski 108 by means of anchoringpins 109, 110. These anchoring pins cross through the upper layers ofthe ski and are nested in the ski structure, particularly in the core.

Similar to the platform of FIGS. 7 and 8, the arms 105 and 106 havelateral extensions 105 a, 106 a that form rails for guiding and securingthe slides associated with the front and rear binding elements.

As in the previous case, the sets of notches divide the arms intoblocks, 105 b, 105 c, 105 d, 105 e, 105 f, 105 g for the arm 105, and106 a, 106 b, 106 c, 106 d, 106 e, and 106 f, for the arm 106. Theblocks of the two arms located toward the front form the front portionof the platform with a zone for receiving the front binding element, theblocks located toward the back form the rear portion with a rearreceiving zone. The sets of notches are, at least in part, in each oneof the receiving zones.

As shown, an anchoring pin 109, 100 is associated with each of theblocks. This is non-limiting and, as previously described, an anchoringpin could be provided every two blocks, or even every three blocks ormore, depending upon the length of the blocks involved. Alternatively,two blocks or more associated with an anchoring pin could be provided.

The anchoring pins of the arms can be nested in the ski structure duringthe manufacture of the ski in the mold. They can also be assembledlater, for example by gluing, during a repair phase of the ski.

Similarly, pins could be used instead of screws for the modes ofconstruction described above.

According to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the sets ofnotches form connecting arches between the various blocks, these archeshaving a lesser material thickness. Due to their lesser thickness and totheir curvature, the arches enable the blocks to move toward or awayfrom each other, dependent upon the bending of the ski. In this case, itcan be said that each set of notches is formed by joining two adjacentnotches opening out on the same surface of the platform.

Thus, in FIG. 11 the platform 112 has four blocks 112 a, 112 b, 112 c,112 d, separated by sets of notches, the set that separates the blocks112 a and 112 b being formed by notches 113 a, 113 b, 113 c, with thenotches opening on the upper surface of the platform 113 a and 113 cbeing joined together.

As described above, at least one set of notches is located in the zonefor receiving a binding element.

For this embodiment, each of the blocks is preferably assembled to theski. As shown, the assembly is formed by anchoring pins 115 shaped likean upside down fir-tree, which originate from each of the blocks andwhich are provided to be nested in the ski structure.

The assembly could also be obtained with attached anchoring pins orscrews.

FIG. 12 relates to another embodiment according to which the variousblocks 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, 122 d, of the platform are assembled to theski by gluing or by welding. For example, they can be welded to the skiby means of a welding technique such as described in the documents EP 0448 936 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,051.

As described above, the blocks are separated by sets of notches 123,124, 125; and at least one set is located in the zone for receiving abinding element on the platform 122.

The platforms of any of the embodiments described and illustrated can bemade of any appropriate material, including a molded plastic material.

In order to prevent snow and debris from settling within the notches,they could be filled with a flexible material, such as solid foammaterial.

This description is only given by way of example and other embodimentsof the invention could be adopted without leaving the scope thereof.

For example, the various alternative constructions or embodiments whichhave been described and illustrated can be combined with one another.The arrangement of the notches at the top or bottom of the platforms isnon-limiting and can be reversed.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the field of alpine skiing;it applies to the field of snowboarding and generally to any gliding orrolling board having one or more elements for binding a boot, and atleast one interface platform between the boot and the board.

1. An interface device for positioning between at least one bindingelement for a boot and a gliding or rolling board, said devicecomprising: at least one longitudinally extending platform comprising: alower surface to be supported above the board; an upper surfaceincluding at least one receiving zone for receiving at least one bindingelement for a boot; at least one set of transversely extending notches;said set of notches being made in said receiving zone over an entiretyof the width or an entirety of the height of the platform; said notchesof said set of notches opening out on two opposite surfaces of saidplatform, thereby defining at least two platform blocks in saidreceiving zone of said platform, said two platform blocks thereby beingconnected by an extensible and retractable connecting zone.
 2. Aninterface device according to claim 1, wherein: said set of notchescomprises a series of notches alternately opening successively onto saidtwo opposite surfaces of said platform.
 3. A interface device accordingto claim 1, wherein: two adjacent notches of said set of notches arespaced apart by one centimeter or less than one centimeter.
 4. Aninterface device according to claim 1, wherein: for a complete set ofsaid set of notches, a bottom of each notch opening onto the uppersurface of the platform is lower than a bottom of each notch openingonto the lower surface of said platform.
 5. An interface deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said platform includes: rows of housingsto house screws for assembling said platform to the board; and rows ofholes for assembling a binding element to said platform; each of saidtwo platform blocks has at least one row of holes or at least one row ofhousings.
 6. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: saidplatform has an upper portion comprising opposite lateral extensions,said lateral extensions forming opposite lateral rails to guide asupport plate of a binding element for adjustable movement to a fixedposition on said platform; said notches opening out on two oppositesurfaces include notches opening out onto said upper surface of saidplatform; said notches opening out onto said upper surface of saidplatform create discontinuities in said lateral extensions.
 7. Aninterface device according to claim 1, wherein: said platform has alower portion and anchoring pins extending from said lower portion to benested within the board; at least a respective one of said anchoringpins is associated with each of said platform blocks.
 8. An interfacedevice according to claim 1, wherein: said platform has two parallelarms; each of said two parallel arms includes a plurality of saidnotches of said set of notches; notches of said two parallel arms arealigned with one another.
 9. An interface device according to claim 1,wherein: at least one set of said at least one set of notches connectsaid two platform blocks and comprises notches opening out onto a singleone of said two opposite surfaces of said platform joined together toform a connecting arch between said two platform blocks, said connectingarch having a thickness reduced relative to a width of said platform.10. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said uppersurface of said longitudinally extending platform comprises a receivingzone for a front binding element, for securing a front of a boot ontothe board, and a receiving zone for a rear binding element for securinga rear of a boot onto the board.
 11. An assembly comprising an interfacedevice according claim 1 in combination with at least one bindingelement for a boot, said binding element adapted to be fixed to saidplatform of said interface device.
 12. An assembly according to claim11, wherein: said binding element comprises a toe binding and/or a heelbinding.
 13. An interface device for an alpine ski, adapted to bepositioned between the ski and at least one binding for a boot, saidinterface device comprising: at least one longitudinally extendingplatform comprising: a lower surface to be supported above the board; anupper surface including at least one receiving zone for receiving a toebinding and/or a heel binding for a boot; at least one set oftransversely extending notches; said set of notches being made in saidreceiving zone over an entirety of the width or an entirety of theheight of the platform; said notches of said set of notches opening outon two opposite surfaces of said platform, thereby defining at least twoplatform blocks in said receiving zone of said platform, said twoplatform blocks thereby being connected by an extensible and retractableconnecting zone.
 14. An assembly comprising an interface deviceaccording claim 13 in combination with at least one of a toe binding anda heel binding, said toe and/or heel binding element adapted to be fixedto said platform of said interface device.
 15. An assembly according toclaim 14, wherein: said binding element has a greatest width greaterthan a greatest width of said platform.